For Engineers · Harmonic Series
Harmonic Series for a xylophone
Built for engineers using it for real design work. Go from concept to a running model in the browser, then scale to the cloud when needed. Simulate a xylophone live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Harmonic SeriesLive
overtones & timbre
Controls
Presets
Every musical note is a stack of harmonics — integer multiples of the fundamental. Their relative strengths (the rolloff) define timbre: why a violin and a flute playing the same pitch sound different. The intervals between harmonics also spell out the octave, fifth, and major third that ground Western harmony.
Data Inspector
Fundamental110 Hz
2nd harmonic220 Hz (octave)
3rd harmonic330 Hz (fifth)
Harmonics8
Governing equation
Reading this result: Stacking 8 harmonics on 110 Hz — each an integer multiple (220 Hz, 330 Hz, …). Their relative strengths (rolloff 1) define the timbre: how a violin and a flute at the same pitch differ.
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for engineers?
- Yes — this version of "Harmonic Series for a xylophone" is framed for engineers using it for real design work. Go from concept to a running model in the browser, then scale to the cloud when needed.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.